Still, in all, what you have to make the best of sounds pretty good. When we moved to Massachusetts 4 years ago, we looked at homes but decided, nope, Bear country. Settled on a lovely Cape Cod surrounded by farms, and mountains, and rivers. Very open, but guess what, bear country. They make life a bit more interesting . New rules, no bird feeders in summer.
If you’re going to die in a bear attack in NA it is much mildly likely it was a black bear killing you. Grizzlies get all fame but the bumbling blackie is a greater threat.
Green seems to be the aquatic Pantone color of the year - started by Washington. ☹️ Our local lake also falls prey to that nasty algae. The swimmers aren’t happy.
Stay safe at the “sea” today. The winds today are predominantly out of the west which blows all the sun-warmed top water to Michigan leaving us with shivery cold water. On a day with easterly winds we get all the warm water, and it’s heaven.
I thought the Spain v France game is tomorrow… I’d better check the schedule. Of course, Go France! 🇫🇷 ⚽️
Custard, cooked dinner, a change of plans, beautiful surroundings with summer family time. Sounds perfect, especially with Auggie and Eli. Happy new week.
That algae is no joke. Every year here in Central Texas, Lady Bird Lake which runs through the center of Austin, gets a bloom. And every year, even though warnings go out on TV and radio, dogs swim in the lake and die. Lake Michigan is a much better choice in this instance. And this year can just simply be a change of scenery for the “invaders” and their hosts! After all, the location isn’t important but the time together is. BTW, again, your property is so beautiful. As are the Germans. Wishing Auggie better days ahead.
Ms. Riordan, You are positively the most on point On Positivity. No whining, just moving on to the best is yet to be. No weird-ass affirmations, no clichés about lemonade, just ingenious shifting of circumstances that you accomplish without a beat. And then writing about it at an ungodly hour, when you must be so drained. Speaking of drained, I shall NOT make reference to that other green boby of water that shall have no name. But then I just had to. No impulse control here. Applause to you, Madame Essayis and commenters with way more emotional maturity than I have.
See, it's me me me all the time, except for my Sunday workshop North of the Tension Line.
I love the plans - lake house or home and Lake Michigan. You are with family, and furballs and that’s all that matters, isn’t it? Cheers to the alternative plan 🍷🍸🫶🏼🐾🎂🥂🥃☕️
I can’t help but think that comparisons were made between your blue-green algae and the DC reflecting pool… East Hartford, CT, where we live, has also had bear sightings close by, but none at our house yet. Watching and waiting.
We have bears here in NE Ohio. Actually throughout most of Eastern Ohio and southern Ohio until you hit the flat part of the state. Black bears are pretty docile although they do freak out a lot of people. I find the racoons more troublesome as they like to cause havoc and the bears mind their business. Sorry about the algae bloom, but time home sounds lovely.
I often forget that growing up on Lake Michigan is a lot like growing up next to an ocean.
I remember the year my friend's dad decided to do the Chicago to Mackinaw sailboat race and we all crewed. A terrible storm blew up and we weathered the storm in Grand Traverse Bay. We were lucky as three boats capsized out on the lake and a number of people were killed.
I remember my friends and me taking our boats out and jumping the wakes of ore boats going to Gary and East Chicago. The ships would blow their horns to get us to stop and we'd leave when we'd hear them call the Coast Guard over the radio to complain.
I remember a friend and me bicycling around it and using the ferry to and from Mackinaw Island to get around biking across the bridge because I was afraid of heights and could not ride my bike across it. Took us 7 or 8 weeks. Best part of the trip, we got to meet the Governor of Michigan, Bill Milliken on Mackinaw Island.
It is a pretty colour, the cyanobacteria. Sigh. Like a poisonous frog or mushroom, I suppose.
Happy watering.
Still, in all, what you have to make the best of sounds pretty good. When we moved to Massachusetts 4 years ago, we looked at homes but decided, nope, Bear country. Settled on a lovely Cape Cod surrounded by farms, and mountains, and rivers. Very open, but guess what, bear country. They make life a bit more interesting . New rules, no bird feeders in summer.
They really do love birdseed!
Love your pieces. Just one point, you are
If you’re going to die in a bear attack in NA it is much mildly likely it was a black bear killing you. Grizzlies get all fame but the bumbling blackie is a greater threat.
Ignore mildly. I wrote more likely.
Enjoy your alternate plans. Still sounds like a fabulous month!
What an absolutely beautiful description of time with family, dogs and nature. Thank you!
Green seems to be the aquatic Pantone color of the year - started by Washington. ☹️ Our local lake also falls prey to that nasty algae. The swimmers aren’t happy.
Stay safe at the “sea” today. The winds today are predominantly out of the west which blows all the sun-warmed top water to Michigan leaving us with shivery cold water. On a day with easterly winds we get all the warm water, and it’s heaven.
I thought the Spain v France game is tomorrow… I’d better check the schedule. Of course, Go France! 🇫🇷 ⚽️
It is tomorrow!
Custard, cooked dinner, a change of plans, beautiful surroundings with summer family time. Sounds perfect, especially with Auggie and Eli. Happy new week.
That algae is no joke. Every year here in Central Texas, Lady Bird Lake which runs through the center of Austin, gets a bloom. And every year, even though warnings go out on TV and radio, dogs swim in the lake and die. Lake Michigan is a much better choice in this instance. And this year can just simply be a change of scenery for the “invaders” and their hosts! After all, the location isn’t important but the time together is. BTW, again, your property is so beautiful. As are the Germans. Wishing Auggie better days ahead.
Plan B looks like a winner
Algae, and sprinklers, and bears, oh my! Wishing you and the clan a wonderful time in a slightly new venue going forward!
Ms. Riordan, You are positively the most on point On Positivity. No whining, just moving on to the best is yet to be. No weird-ass affirmations, no clichés about lemonade, just ingenious shifting of circumstances that you accomplish without a beat. And then writing about it at an ungodly hour, when you must be so drained. Speaking of drained, I shall NOT make reference to that other green boby of water that shall have no name. But then I just had to. No impulse control here. Applause to you, Madame Essayis and commenters with way more emotional maturity than I have.
See, it's me me me all the time, except for my Sunday workshop North of the Tension Line.
Thank you.
I love the plans - lake house or home and Lake Michigan. You are with family, and furballs and that’s all that matters, isn’t it? Cheers to the alternative plan 🍷🍸🫶🏼🐾🎂🥂🥃☕️
2026, the summer of algae. Love to the whole family and those cool biggies.
I can’t help but think that comparisons were made between your blue-green algae and the DC reflecting pool… East Hartford, CT, where we live, has also had bear sightings close by, but none at our house yet. Watching and waiting.
No matter the time of year or circumstances, your descriptive magic colors it all so lyrically. Your journal of life is like the sunshine beaming in.
❤️💕❤️💕❤️😍
We have bears here in NE Ohio. Actually throughout most of Eastern Ohio and southern Ohio until you hit the flat part of the state. Black bears are pretty docile although they do freak out a lot of people. I find the racoons more troublesome as they like to cause havoc and the bears mind their business. Sorry about the algae bloom, but time home sounds lovely.
I often forget that growing up on Lake Michigan is a lot like growing up next to an ocean.
I remember the year my friend's dad decided to do the Chicago to Mackinaw sailboat race and we all crewed. A terrible storm blew up and we weathered the storm in Grand Traverse Bay. We were lucky as three boats capsized out on the lake and a number of people were killed.
I remember my friends and me taking our boats out and jumping the wakes of ore boats going to Gary and East Chicago. The ships would blow their horns to get us to stop and we'd leave when we'd hear them call the Coast Guard over the radio to complain.
I remember a friend and me bicycling around it and using the ferry to and from Mackinaw Island to get around biking across the bridge because I was afraid of heights and could not ride my bike across it. Took us 7 or 8 weeks. Best part of the trip, we got to meet the Governor of Michigan, Bill Milliken on Mackinaw Island.
Those are great memories.
Your experiances would make an interesting essey!